Ballot-box.



No. 761,338. PIATENTED MAY 1, 1904. w. M. TBBTER.

BALLOT BOX.

' APPLIOA' IIOH TILED-APB. 30. 1903. H0 MODEL. 2 SHEETS-SHEETL I I wwnl or,

IATENTED MAY 31,1904.

w. HERE.-

BALLOT Box, I APPLIU'AIIOI IILBD APR. 80. 1903.

2 mum's-31131:: 2. I

I0 MODEL.

- UNITED STATES Patented May 31, 1904;

PATENT OFFICE.

' WILLIAM M. TEETER, or ORIPPLECREEK, COLORADO." A

' ALLOT-Box.

SPECIFICATION formingi'par t of Letters Patent No. 761,338, dated Ma'y'31, 1904.

Application filed April 30, 1903- zations where a secret ballot is taken in the election of members and transaction of other matters of business of the organization;

My invention consists of the novel features of construction and combination of parts described hereinafter, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a perspective View of my device complete and in position for use. Fig.

2-- is a longitudinal vertical section through .same, the clock mechanism being shown in elevation; Fig. 3 is a transverse section about on. the line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4: is a transverse section on the line4 A of Fig. 2, the bell and clock mechanism being shown in elevation. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of a portion of my device, the parts being in their normal position. Fig. 6 is a similar view showing the position ofthe parts when the ballot is being deposited. Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view of a partof Fig. 5.detached'.

In the embodiment-of my invention I construct a casing A of any preferred size and shape. In the upper part of one end of the casing is formed a circular opening A of sufficient size to permit the introduction of a hand into the interior of thecasing. The casing is also provided with drawers B and. B, opening at opposite sides or ends of the casing. The interior of the casing is divided into two chambers by a vertical partition A, one of the drawers being arranged in each chamber and the opening A giving communication with the chamber in which slides the drawer B. The rear wall B of the drawer B is upwardly and rearwardly inclined and extends rearwardly to and abuts against the Serial No. 155,077. (No model.)

the partition adjacent the abutting edge of the wall B and this opening is normally closed by a door A", sliding in guide flanges A A smaller opening A is formed in .the partition above the opening A and above the door A and also-in the same. chamber with and above the drawer B is a box C, "secured to the partition, the latter forming the rear Wall of the box.. This box and its parts are shown in detail in Figs. 5, 6, and 7 to. which reference is had. Sliding in this box is a carrier G, open at the rear and partially cut away at the top, as shown at C A push-rod C3 extends through one end of the box, having aknob or button on itsouter end, and at its in- .ner end it is connected to the carrier. An opening 0 is formed in the top of the box adjacent the push-rod end and is surrounded by a funnel-shaped flange (1 A spring C is arranged within the box and bears at one end against the end of the box and at the oppositev end against the carrier, normally projecting the push-rod outwardly and holding the carrier beneath the opening 0 with which the cutout portion C registers. The carrier has an inclined bottom C, the lower rear edge of which registers with the lower portion of the opening A when the rod 0 is forced inward. A downwardly-inclined spout 1D is secured on the opposite side of the partition A theupper end of the spout fitting over the opening A. Ac'lock mechanism E is arranged within the casing above the drawer B, resting on a horizontal sliding partition E. A trigger E extends inwardly from the clock mechanism and extends into the plane of the discharge end of the spout D. v

The operation of and mode of using my device is as'follo ws: A plurality of balls and cubes, the latter having the corners slightly cut away, are placed in the drawer B and may, if desired, be further distinguished by colors-for example, the balls being red and the cubes black. Before the voting commences the drawer B may be withdrawn and exhibited, thus proving that there are neither balls nor cubes in that drawer. Any significance desired can be attached to the balls and cubes. The voters pass one hand through the opening A and pick up either a ball or cube and deposit same through the funnel (1 into the carrier 0. The push-rod is then pressed inward and the receptacle sliding into alinement with the opening A the ball or cube falls out through the spout D, striking and depressing the trigger E and then falling into the drawer B. When the trigger is depressed, the clock mechanism is actuated and the bell is sounded, thus notifying others in the room that avote had been cast. As the carrier will hold but one ball or cube at a time, the simultaneous depositing of two in the drawer B is prevented. When the ballots have been cast, they can be inspected by opening the drawer B, and when counted the drawer can be put back in place, the sliding door A raised, and by tilting the casing the ballots in the drawer B will fall through the opening A and into the drawer B. The edges of the opening A are bent over and rounded, as shown at A so as to prevent injury to the hand. Should any error be made in taking the ballot, the sliding door can be opened and the ballot allowed to drop back into the drawer B without being seen by any one present, and the balloting can be resumed.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and'desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A ballot-box comprising a casing divided into two chambers, said casing being open at one end, ballots adapted to be distinguished by the sense of touch in the chamber adjacent the open end, a chute adapted to discharge one ballot at a time into the other chamber, and means for giving an audible signal when a ballot is so discharged.

2. A ballot-box comprising a casing divided into two compartments, a chute adapted to convey a ballot from one compartment to the other, and a carrier adapted to contain but one ballot at a time to discharge same into chute.

8. A ballot-box comprising a casing, a partition in said casing having an elongated opening and a smalleropening above the elongated opening, a slide adapted to close the elongated opening, a box arranged above the slide and adjacent the smaller opening, and an upwardly and laterally open carrier sliding in said box and adapted to aline with the smaller opening.

4. A ballot-box comprising a casing open at one end and divided by a vertical transverse partition said partition having two openings one above the other, means for normally closing the lower opening a box arranged adjacent and having communication with the upper opening, said box being upwardly open adjacent one end, a carrier normally held at said end, means for sliding the carrier to the opposite end of the box and in to registry with the upper opening, and means for discharging the contents of the carrier through said opening.

5. In a device of the kind described, a one ing having an opening at one end, a central partition dividing the easing into two chambers, a box arranged on one side of the partition, the latter forming one wall of the box and having an opening therein, a dischargespout arranged on the opposite side of the partition, its upper end registering with the opening therein, a carrier sliding in the box and discharging through the spout and an alarm adapted to give an audible signal at each discharge.

6. A ballot-box comprising a casing open at one end, drawers arranged 'in each end of the casing, a transverse vertical partition separating said drawers, said partition having an opening adjacent the drawers, a slide closing said opening, the rear wall of one of said drawers being upwardly inclined toward said opening, a carrier arranged in the open end of the casing and adapted to deposit a ballot in the opposite end and means for sounding an alarm as each ballot is deposited.

\V. M. TEETER.

Witnesses:

' R. I. KAVANAGH, ANDREW HAYns. 

